Extensible interlocking structure of multi-lateral cross-section

Claim 2

An extensible interlocking structure of multi-lateral cross-section comprising two sets of main members, at least one set consisting of generally rectangular rigid frames which lie in a first plane spaced apart from a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, the main members of each set engaging one another in end-to-end relation when the structure is extended, at least one set of tie members, said tie members being pivoted about a pivot axis to said main members of at least one set, and said tie members having, before extension of the main members, free ends remote from said pivot axis, said main members of the set opposed to said tie members being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive the free ends of said tie members, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip said tie members, whereby to form a rigid structure with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship by said tie members extending diagonally therebetween, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 3

An extensible interlocking structure as claimed in claim 1, comprising two sets of tie members, each set of tie members being pivoted about respective pivot axes to the corresponding sets of main members, said tie members having, before extension of the main member, free ends remote from the respective pivot axes, both sets of main members opposed to the respective tie members being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive the free ends of said tie members.

Claim 4

An extensible interlocking structure as claimed in claim 1, in which successive main members of each set are hinged together.

Claim 5

An extensible interlocking structure as claimed in claim 1, in which one set of main members comprises a set of generally-rectangular frames, successive frames being hinged together, and the other set of main members comprises a set of linked struts, the structure when extended having a triangular transverse cross-section.

Claim 6

An extensible interlocking structure as claimed in claim 4, in which each tie member is formed at its free end with a part-spherical surface, there being two tie members pivoted to each main member, the part-spherical surfaces of two tie members hinged to a main member co-operating together, and adjacent parts of successive linked struts having corresponding concave part-spherical surfaces arranged to encompass and retain the co-operating part-spherical surfaces of the two tie members.

Claim 7

An extensible interlocking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein each main member in both said sets of main members is a generally-rectangular frame, the frames engaging with one another in end-to-end relation when the structure is extended, there are two sets of the members, each tie member being a generally-rectangular frame, and each tie member being pivoted about a pivot axis to the corresponding main member, said tie members having trunnions on their free ends, and the main members of both sets being formed with features affording jaws, the trunnions being gripped in said jaws, whereby to form a rigid structure when said main members have been extended.

Claim 8

An extensible interlocking structure of quadrilateral cross-section comprising two sets of main members each having a generally-rectangular rigid frame, one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from and in opposed relation to a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, the main members of each set being hinged together in end-to-end relation, two sets of tie members, said tie members being pivoted about a pivot axis to the respective main members of said two sets, said tie members having trunnions at the free ends remote from said pivot axis, said two sets of main members being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive said trunnions, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip said trunnions, whereby to form a rigid structure, with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship by said tie members extending diagonally therebetween, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 9

An extensible interlocking structure of quadrilateral cross-section comprising two sets of main members each having a generally-rectangular rigid frame, one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from and in opposed relation to a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, the main members of each set being hinged together in end-to-end relation, two sets of tie members, said tie members being pivoted about a pivot axis to the respective main members of said two sets, said tie members having trunnions at the free ends remote from said pivot axis, said two sets of main members being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive said trunnions, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip said trunnions, whereby to form a rigid structure, with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship by said tie members extending diagonally therebetween, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 10

An extensible structure as claimed in claim 7 comprising also a plurality of rollers extending from said sets of main members and coaxial with an axis about which the main members are hinged together, and leadscrew means engaging with said rollers, whereby on rotation of said leadscrew means said structure is extended and retracted depending on the direction of rotation.

Claim 11

An extensible interlocking structure of trilateral cross-section, comprising two sets of main members, one set having generally-rectangular rigid frames and the other set comprising a series of linked struts, both sets being hinged together in end-to-end relation, and one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from and in opposed relation to a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, two sets of triangular arms forming tie members, said triangular arms being pivoted about a pivot axis to said generally-rectangular frames, and said triangular arms having free ends remote from said pivot axis, said linked struts being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive the free ends of said tie members, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip the free ends of said triangular arms whereby to form a rigid structure with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship by said triangular arms, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 12

An extensible interlocking structure of trilateral cross-section, comprising two sets of main members, one set having generally-rectangular rigid frames and the other set comprising a series of linked struts, both sets being hinged together in end-to-end relation, and one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from and in opposed relation to a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, two sets of triangular arms forming tie members, said triangular arms being pivoted about a pivot axis to said generally-rectangular frames, and said triangular arms having free ends remote from said pivot axis, said linked struts being formed with depressions to afford jaws to receive the free ends of said tie members, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip the free ends of said triangular arms whereby to form a rigid structure with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship by said triangular arms, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 13

An extensible interlocking structure of quadrilateral cross-section, comprising two sets of main members each having a generally-rectangular frame, one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, and two corresponding sets of generally-rectangular tie members, each tie member being pivoted about a pivot axis to a corresponding main member, said tie members having trunnions at the free ends remote from said pivot axis, the main members having inter-engaging hooked means, means to extend said structure by lifting said main frames when the latter are in an operative position, means to move succeeding frames into said operative position, whereby, when one said main frame is lifted, the succeeding frame has its hooked means engaged with the co-operating hooked means of said one main frame, the main members being formed with depressions, and the tie member connected to each main member being formed with a jaw, said depression and said jaw receiving a said trunnion, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip said trunnions, whereby to form a rigid structure, with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship, by said tie members extending diagonally therebetween, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.

Claim 14

An extensible interlocking structure of quadrilateral cross-section, comprising two sets of main members each having a generally-rectangular frame, one set lying in a first plane which is spaced apart from a second plane in which the members of the other set lie, and two corresponding sets of generally-rectangular tie members, each tie member being pivoted about a pivot axis to a corresponding main member, said tie members having trunnions at the free ends remote from said pivot axis, the main members having inter-engaging hooked means, means to extend said structure by lifting said main frames when the latter are in an operative position, means to move succeeding frames into said operative position, whereby, when one said main frame is lifted, the succeeding frame has its hooked means engaged with the co-operating hooked means of said one main frame, the main members being formed with depressions, and the tie member connected to each main member being formed with a jaw, said depression and said jaw receiving a said trunnion, extension of said sets of main members causing said jaws to close to grip said trunnions, whereby to form a rigid structure, with said sets of main members held in spaced-apart relationship, by said tie members extending diagonally therebetween, and a member interconnecting the free ends of both sets of main members.